WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Randolph McLaughlin, a civil rights attorney and Pace University School of Law professor, has been named Executive Director of Hale House, a non-profit organization dedicated to building better futures for children and families in need. Professor McLaughlin has served as counsel to the Board of Directors since May of 2001. He also served as Interim Executive Director from April 1, 2004, until his appointment to the permanent position.

Professor McLaughlin will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Hale House operations and development.  He will initiate and expand innovative programs and services to help resolve the needs of children and families in the New York City community.  Professor McLaughlin aims to develop relationships with individuals, organizations and businesses that are striving to achieve the same goals.

"No one who has heard his vision for the future of Hale House, witnessed his skill in inspiring and managing its staff and seen his utter joy in the presence of Hale House’s children was surprised when he surrendered to his true passion and agreed to serve as Hale House’s Executive Director," said Zachary W. Carter, Chairman of the Hale House Board and a former federal prosecutor.

Under Professor McLaughlin’s leadership, Hale House will adapt to meet the needs of families and children in crisis. "Mother Hale took children into her home and provided a

loving environment. At Hale House, we will continue to provide a home for our young charges and seek to expand the services we deliver to children and families in need," said Professor. McLaughlin. Professor McLaughlin stated, "I look forward to leading this dedicated and talented group of professionals who have made it their mission to provide a better future for these children and families.  I hope to continue the legacy left by Mother Hale."

A graduate of Harvard Law School, Professor McLaughlin has dedicated his career to serving the underserved. He began his fight for civil rights at the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York City.  One of his first major cases was a successful lawsuit against the Chattanooga Ku Klux Klan.

Since 1988, Professor McLaughlin has been a professor of law at Pace Law School, where he served as the founding director of the law school’s Social Justice Center. Consistent with Pace’s commitment to community service, the law school has arranged for Professor McLaughlin to teach on a part-time basis during his tenure at Hale House.

Hale House Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to building better futures for children and families in need through 24-hour infant and toddler residential care, developmental childcare programs, supportive housing, family stabilization efforts and community outreach.  Founded in 1969 and incorporated in 1972, Hale House grew out of the commitment of Clara McBride Hale, affectionately called Mother Hale, to nurture disadvantaged children.  When Hale House began, it was the first institution of its kind in the nation to house and care for infants born to mothers who were addicted to drugs. Over the years, hundreds of children have found sanctuary in Mother Hale's brownstone, located in the heart of Harlem.

Founded in 1976, Pace Law School is a New York Law School with a suburban campus in White Plains, N.Y., 20 miles north of New York City. Part of Pace University, the school offers the J.D. program for full-time and part-time day and evening students. Its postgraduate program includes the LL.M. and S.J.D. degrees in Environmental Law and an LL.M. in Comparative Legal Studies. Pace has one of the nation's top-rated Environmental Law programs and its Clinical Education program also is nationally ranked, offering clinics in domestic violence prosecution, environmental law, securities arbitration, criminal justice and disability rights. www.law.pace.edu 

Pace is a comprehensive, independent university with campuses in New York City, Pleasantville and White Plains, NY and a Hudson Valley Center at Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, NY. More than 14,000 students are enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Lubin School of Business, School of Computer Science and Information Systems, School of Education, Lienhard School of Nursing and Pace Law School. www.pace.edu